plate no. 6350

Christmas Shoppers

William James Glackens, 1912

oilNew Realismgenre paintingcityscapecrowdbuildingsvehiclesfiguresstreet

experienced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and vehicles, and in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and main vehicles to establish the composition.
step 02
Block in the general areas of color for the buildings, street, and sky using thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding the larger groups of figures, focusing on their general shapes and colors rather than individual details.
step 04
Develop the details of the vehicles, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Refine the figures, adding details such as clothing, hats, and faces.
step 06
Use fine lines to add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 07
Add final touches of color and detail to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Consider adding a light wash of a unifying color to tie the whole piece together.

color palette

primary · ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna · payne's gray

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use small amounts of secondary colors to add interest and variation to the palette.

techniques

·hatching
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·ruler
·kneaded eraser
·gouache

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of paint. Consider using a limited palette to create a sense of harmony and unity.

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